An Introduction to Gothic Architecture
The Gothic style of architecture was first developed in northern France in the early 12th century, and quickly spread throughout western and central Europe. Gothic architecture evolved from, and ultimately replaced the established Romanesque style, before being superseded by the Renaissance style from the 16th century.
The chief characteristics of Gothic architecture include the pointed arch, the flying buttress, and the ribbed vault. These features combined to allow medieval masons to design the iconic cathedrals and abbeys of the time in a much more ambitious fashion than their Romanesque predecessors, with taller, more slender piers, wider spans, and larger window openings. The result was a larger, more open interior that could be flooded with light. The motivation for constructing churches in this manner would undoubtedly have been to inspire the faithful to worship, but also to instill locals with a sense of civic pride. Gothic architecture in England went through three style 'periods': Early English, Decorated, and Perpendicular. In Scotland, church architecture was generally simpler, but there are still some fine examples of Early Gothic and Decorated architecture, particularly in the ruined abbeys of the Borders. The interior design of Gothic churches often inherited the Romanesque tradition of dividing the lateral walls into three horizontal sections: the arcade, triforium and clerestory. The introduction of Gothic rib vaults (replacing the barrel vault) enabled the clerestory to be expanded in order to let much more light into the church. A good example of the three-tiered interior design is the Decorated-style choir of Ely Cathedral in East Anglia (see the adjacent diagram), and this was also the formation in the nave of Holyrood Abbey before the 1768 collapse. |
All photos are the property of Michael Scott or James Sanderson unless otherwise stated.
© 2013 James Sanderson and Michael Scott | All rights reserved.
School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh
© 2013 James Sanderson and Michael Scott | All rights reserved.
School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh